A Man Called Otto Showtimes Near Pickwick Theatre (2024)

FAQs

What is the story behind the movie A Man Called Otto? ›

Otto Anderson is a 63-year-old widower, living in a rowhouse in suburban Pittsburgh. Six months after losing his wife Sonya, a schoolteacher, Otto has become a cynical, fastidious curmudgeon. Pushed into retirement from his job at a steel plant, he cancels his utilities and plans to kill himself to join his late wife.

9 Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley, PA

Sewickley Cemetery is one of the older cemeteries in the area, and has existed since 1859. Its scenic views and traditional construction certainly lends itself to the big screen, and was likely the impetus for its selection as a filming location for A Man Called Otto.

A Man Called Otto changed the title and the lead character's name because the events took place in an entirely different country. In the original movie, Ove resided in Sweden, whereas Otto lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Filming locations included Allegheny County's Pittsburgh, Oakmont, Sewickley Heights, and Monroeville, as well as Ambridge, Beaver County and Arnold, Westmoreland County. The film also stars Truman Hanks, Tom Hanks' son, as young Otto Anderson.

The main messages from A Man Called Otto are that even when everything looks desperate there's still hope, and we can find new meaning to life if we look for it. Values in A Man Called Otto that you could reinforce with your children include persistence, kindness and hope.

Otto is a grumpy old man who is aging, has a heart problem, and is both devastated and isolated, having recently lost his wife. He no longer has any reason or desire to live. There are several incidents where he tries to commit suicide and fails miserably.

Backman's novel is fictional, and not based on a true story. That said, Backman was inspired to write his novel by a real-life Swedish curmudgeon named Ove. But other than the man's name and his grumpy disposition, everything Backman imagined for A Man Called Ove was entirely made up.

Otto's wife has died, leaving his life without meaning, so he has decided to kill himself. We see him set up the house to protect the decor from gore when he does the self-offing. But later we learn he has been told he is not long for this world for ordinary health reasons. He's going to die anyway.

Reuben, who had a stroke, now uses a wheelchair and is cared for by his wife Anita (Juanita Jennings) and neighbor Jimmy (Cameron Britton). A local transgender teen, Malcolm (Mack Bayda), recognizes Otto as Sonya's husband while delivering newspapers and circulars in the neighborhood.

Tom Hanks can also be seen filming some scenes at Central Union Terminal in Toledo, in the United States. He learns that new neighbours are coming to live in the street of the grumpy Otto who lives on Gilliland Ave, Pennsylvania.

What part did Tom Hanks son play in the movie Otto? ›

Truman Hanks makes his movie debut in A Man Called Otto playing the young Otto. Tom Hanks' character in the new dark comedy A Man Called Otto, it was a no-brainer for director Marc Forster who went with Hanks' youngest son, Truman.

Stangl's Bakery plays a pivotal role in the movie. Tom Hanks is devastated by the death of his wife. He is grumpy and depressed. When he gives his new neighbor a driving lesson right through Ambridge and they stop at Stangl's.

Otto's character traits are highly emblematic of autism since autistic people tend to have very literal thought patterns toward everything, which is exemplified by Otto's argument with the staff at the hardware store over his rope purchase.

The Big Picture

Director Marc Forster expertly tackles themes of immigration, grief, and community in this emotionally resonant film adaptation. Otto's journey from reclusive grump to community hero will inspire laughter and tears, showcasing the power of human connection.

Otto agrees to help Anita and Reuben. Marisol refuses to assist Otto (she is angry with him about shutting her out) until he tells her that he and Sonya went to Niagara Falls to celebrate Sonya's pregnancy. On the bus back home, they were involved in a crash, and Sonya became paralyzed and had a miscarriage.

But, of course, Otto is played by Tom Hanks, the beloved Jimmy Stewart of this era, and you and I know immediately that a way will be found for his true nature to emerge. The film opens six months after Otto's cherished wife Sonya (Rachel Keller) has died of cancer.